Pneumatic power generator



S. S. CRAMER.

PNEUIIIATIC POWER GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-.21,- 1919.

Patented Oc. 10, 1922.

3 SHEETSYSHEEI 2.

S. S. GRANIER.

PNEUMATIC POWER GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.21. 1919.

Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IlI u Patented Oct. 10, 1922.

UNITED STAT-Es STANLEY S. GRANIER, F CAIEN,y NEW JERSEY.

` PNEUIATIC POWER GENERATOR.

Applieation led August 21, 1919. Serial No. 818,886.

T o all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STANLEY S. CRAMnn, a citizen of the United States,residin at 'Camdem `in the county of Camden and tate `of New Jersey,have invented. certain newl and useful Improvements' in Pneumatic PowerGenerators, of which the vfollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic power generators, and particularlyto rotary mechanisms for creating a vacuum such as 1s used in automaticor player-pianos.

Heretofore, it has been quite generally'the practice to employinYplayer-pianos `pedaloperated bellows for the purpose of creating thevacuum necessary to` actuate the various hammers, expression devices,.winding and re-winding mechanisms, etc., but with this type ofgenerator the effective vacuum usually obtained is 'sulicient to'supportonly a twelve-inch column of water. With the relatively limitedpossibilities incident to sucha low vacuum equivalent, the scope of 'themusical reproducing powers of the instrument is greatly restricted.

Therefore, in order to materially 'improve the quality of reproductionof agiven instrument, and in order to make such reproduction as nearl 80with the original creation by a master pianist, it has been foundabsolutely essential to rovide a source of much higher power than liasheretofore been attainable, thus making it possible to strike the chordswith greater force, to vbring into play the desired notes moreinstantaneously, and numerous other achievements which are onlyattainable with a relatively high pneumatic power at ones instantaneouscommand. 40

obtain the results mentioned, it has been `found necessary to have amorecontinuous v power than that created by any known form of rintermittentbellows mechanism, wherefore, it has been found that the only meanswhich will producethe desired result` is a high-speed electric motdij.running preferably at' from 8,000 to 12,000 revolutions per minute, andso constructed as. to'inaintain a vacuum equivalent .to a twenty-four tothirty-inch water column. y However, although various types of, electric/motors have been used as blowersg'and to a certain extent asvacuum-creating means in various other devices such,for instance,

identical in tone qualities In addition to the foregoing, in yorder to amotor. possesses, whereby, there is undoubtas vacuum-cleaners,Ventilating systems, and the like, extensive experiment has proved thatnothing previously perfected in any other art is capable of fulfillingthe extremely exacting .requirements .of the automatic or player-pianoindustr One of the main details whichrit has been necessary to work outand perfect to the highest possible degree is that of insuring anabsolutely noiseless operation of such a motor, entirely free from eventhe slightest degree of vibration,yas suchl vibration transmitted to anyof the neighboring parts of a music instrument as, for instance, apiano, will set up audible vibrations of the latter which will be highlydetrimental and injurious to the instrument, if not entirely fatal tothe reproduction of music by. the given instrument in the perfect mannerwhich is'obviously the desire and aim of every musician andmanufacturer.To obtain this result, the improved generator, hereinafter described, isessentially encased within means adapted to inclose all operating noisesand to effectively prevent the assage of sound from the motor outwardlythrough either the intake or the exhaust opening of the generator. f

Possibly only secondar to the necessity for absolutely damping allvibration set up by the motor of the vacuum-generator is the greatdesirability of providing for the automatic compensation b thevacuum-generator for rapid and wi ely varying rates, at which theconstantly changing cross-sectional area of 'the total number of exposedapertures in .the tracker-board, permit a widely varyingy flow' of airto `relieve the vacuunrwhich must be constantly maintained, with aslittle variation'in degree as 95 ma be possible. o accomplish thisresult, it has been found that a series-wound motor is admir- -ablysuited to the Work, with the result that when the flow of air throughthe trackerboard increases, thus increasing the load 1- upon the motor,the latter automatically decreases its speed in accordance withA certainelectro-magneto characteristics which ,such

edly a decrease inthe rate at which the vacuum is generated, and withthe result that a constant 'pressure for all intents arid 'il l purposesis maintained.. t

' Still another, advantage gained by thefus'e 110 of a series-woundelectric motor resides in the fact that, if roperly constructed, it 1ssubstantially equa ly well adapted to run on either direct oralternating current without these details there being that of a multiplefan unit operative to repeatedly act upon the air passing through itsblades; a careful shaping of the air passage-ways in `order to offer tothe aircurrents the least possible obstruction to their free passagethrough the disc; flanges over-lapping the fan-blades and adapted tothus' seal against air leakage in the spaces between the relativelymovable and stationary parts;l channels so arranged as to permit aportion of the air to pass between the armature and-field-magnets in or'der to maintain a low temperature of the same;l certain details in thedesign of the electricwound-motor employed to produce the power fordriving the vacuum-creating fans, readily assembled and disassembled;means to strain all dust and other foreign particles from the airpassing into the device; improved automatically lubricated anti-frictionbearings for supporting an improved tubular shaft; a vacuum bleed valveoperative to constantly permit a 'predetermined minimum flowof airthrough-the machine for maintaining a low temperature of the motor, andto permit rapid yet delicate degrees of alteration in the air-pullingpower of the device without depending for variations of different speedsofthe motor; to provide av mechanically simple method of i manufacturingthe device; andto provide numerous other details in the construction ,ofthelpower .pla

and operation of the generator as hereinafter fully described in the'following specification, when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings,

ferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2

Ais a yhorizontal section on-the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 right pianoshowing one of the improvedV is an end elevation of an up'- powe'rplants attached to' and supported by the rear side thereof; Fig.V 4 'isa rear elevation of the same; Fig. 5 is a similar view to Figzf-'showingby dotted lines the position t when operated within a p iano'; Fig. Gisa plan viewV of the interior Y. of'4 the fan casing,

Y blades Fig."v 7 is', an "enlarged fragmentary showing the stationaryin which Fig. 1 is a. v vertical diametrical' section through thepreelevational view of the upper 'part of the casing of the device,showing the vacuum bleed valve; Fig. 8 is a rear elevation of the saidvalve in the direction of the arrow 8 on Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional view of the revolving fan bearing; Fig. 10 is anenlarged fragmentary -sectional View showing the sound-insulatingsupports of the motor and fan casings; Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailsectional view of a modification of the lower shaft bearing.; Fig. 12 isa section on the line 12--12 of Fig. 11; and Fig. 13 is a detail of amodified thrust bearingfor the shaft.

eferring to the drawings, there is provided an uppercylndrical casingsection 1, closed at its upper limit by means of a horizontallyextending imperforate wall 2,

and at its lower portion provided with a radially outwardly I directedperipheral fiange 3. The lower portion of the inclosing casing comprisesa .cylindrical section? 4S, which is normally secured by any suitablemeans 5 to the flange 3 of the section 1, while the sides of said lowersection are at their lower extent directed diagonally inwardly at 6, andcentrally closed by means of a horizontally extendin wall 7, said wall,however being provi ed with spaced apertures 8. '`he inner surfaces ofthe sections 6 and 7 are covered by a relatively thick layer of fibrousmaterial 9, which is also provided with spaced apertures 10 registeringwith upon the upper portion upper flanged portion 16 of an innercylindrical sheet-metal shell 17, which, adjacent to its uppermostlimits, is provided with spaced apertures 18, and at its lower limits isclosed by a frusto-conical section 19, conforming in general to theshape of the adj acent portions 6 and 7 of the surrounding casing andspaced equi-distant therefrom.

Resting directly upon the bushings 15 and n shell iianges 16 are spacedsound-insulating sections of yielding material 20, upon which directlyrests the reduced radially extending peripheral flange portionv 21 of asubstantially' plain casting 22, 'centrally apertured at 23 andsurrounding the lower edge portion 0f said aperture provided with adepending annular flange 24, while integral with the portion 22 andsurrounding said aperture is an upwardly extending cylindrical sectionvided with ya centrally ositioned upwardly v extending integralcylindrical portion 30, adapted to serve as an oil reservoir andnormally closed at its upper end by means of a removable cap or plug 31.

. The 'wall 28 is furthermore centrally provided with an upwardlyextending integral y boss 32 provided with a central axially extendingbore 33, forming a bearing for the tubular shaft 34 extending revolvablytherethrough. The bore 33 is enlarged and internally threaded at 35 toreceive a plug 36 shapedv as an inverted cup and housing a ball 37,which is larger than the bore of the shaft 34 and is seated within theend of said last-named bore. The plug 36 is provided centrally with atapped bore 38, through which extends a flat-ended set-screw 39,whichvin tur-n is surrounded adjacent to its outer end portion by means of alock-nut 40. The boss 32 is also provided with a capillary diagonallyextending bore 41, adapted to convey a predetermined amount of lubricantfrom they oi1-cup 30 into the bore 33 for lubricating the shaft-34 inits bearing. A

^ The wall 28 is furthermore provided upon its under surface andconcentric with -the bore 33`with a centrally disposed rece 42, in whichis forced a washer 43, loosely surrounding the shaft 34 but conformingwithin the recess, thus inclosing a suitable section of fibrousabsorbent material 44 adapted to prevent the lubricant from passing inany substantial amount down the shaft to the commutator 45 of theelectricA motor, which 'comprises field-coils 46, w-ithin which isrevolva'bly mounted an armature 47, While suitable brushes 48 are 'suported by brushholders 49, and said fiel -cOils are axially positionedwith respect' to the rotating armature by means of radially .directedset-screws '50 extending through the cylindricalportion 25 of thecasting22. l

,Suspended beneath the casting 22 and secured thereto by any suitablemeans 51, is a cylinder 52,v which co-operates with a shoulder at thebase of the fiange 21 in order to position said cylinder exactlyconcentric with the said casting 22. The lowermost portion of l saidlast-named cylinder Y is spanned by means of ribs 53 1n order toprovide` spaced laterally directed openings 54, while depending from thecenter of said ribs is an inverted cup-shaped lubricant reservoir 55normally closed by means of a plug 56,`

while disposed within said reservoir and forming an integral extensionof s aid ribs is a depending boss 57 provided with an axially positionedbore 58 which forms a bearing for the lower end portion of the tubularshaft 34.

At its upper extent, the bore 58 is enlarged placed a section of fibrousabsorbent material 60, retained in position by means of a washer 61secured by a forced fit into the said lastnamed aperture. Downwardly,the bore 58 is enlarged and internally threaded at 62 to receive aninternal cup-plug 63, which is centrally drilled and tapped to support aset-screw 64 having a fiat upper end and supporting a ball 65, similarto the ball 37, and against which the tubular shaft directlyco-operates. The set-screw 64 is furthermore surrounded at its-lower endportion by a lock-nut 66,l in'order to prevent the set-screw Y fromaccidental dislodgment.

The cylinder 52, immediately above the laterally directed apertures 64,is rovided preferably with an annular sho der67, upon which rests atransversely extending annular partition68, which Iis maintained innormal fixed position by means of radially directed set-screws 69, andis provided cento provide an annular recess 59, in which is 4 trallywith an aperture 70, surrounded at its` immediate lower peripheral edgeportion by a depending flange 71.' This partition 68 is provided withl aplurality of upwardly extending/stationary blades 72, each starting fromthe aperture 70, and as it progresses radially outwardly vbeing curvedin a clockwise direction, for a purpose hereinafter described. l i

Mounted uponthe lower portion of the tubular shaft 34 -is a hub 7 3,provided with a radially extending plane fiange 74, upon the uppersurface of which are secured spaced vanes or ribs A75 and 76, said vanesbeing preferably designed so that the latter extend downwardly from saidhub to the periphery of said flange, while the former vanes extend totheperiphery of said flange from points spaced from said hub. Thisconstruction,`together withA the disc 77, formmg a shroud and connectingthe upper free edge portions of said vanes, comprises a centrifugal fanor blower unit, whichvupon its under side is preferably provided with anaxially positioned recess 78, into which extends a nut 79, operative tosecure the said fanunits upon the shaft 34, and positioned opposite tothough normally spaced from the washer 61. The shroud 77 is centrallyapertured at 80 to admit air into the spaces between tlie vanes 75 and76 from the region above the horizontally extending partitions 68, as itpasses through the aperture '70 in said partitions.

A second 'blower unit is likewise vsecured to saidshaft in any suitablemanner, and is positioned between the unit first described and thearmature of the drivin -inotor, said unit comprising a hub 81, W ichextends and contacts with the hub 73 up to the armature above referredto, and is provided substantially mid-way its longitudinal measurev withthose hereinbefore described as comprising portions of the firstfanjunit, and these v'anes 85 are connected at their upper free edges-by means of a shroud 86.

This device, as before stated, is preferably driven b the series-woundelectric motor hereinbefore described, and to whichV current may be ledin any suitable manner as by means of wires 87, which pass through theouter casing of the device in any suitable manner as by means of theinsulating bushin 88, with which is adapted to be removab y connectedthe terminal 89 of an electric-conductor leading from any suitablesource of electric current,'either alternating or direct in character. f

The upper casing section l is furthermore provided with a relativelylarge aperture 9 0, in which is fixed in any suitable manner a shorttube 91, to which is coupled a preferably flexible section of hose 92,adapted to convey air from the operating parts of the piano 93 to theimproved vacuum-creating device forming the invention. The tube 91 hasremovably securedin it 'a suitable section of mesh 94;, operative tostrain the ain i' entering the device and prevent dust and other foreignparticles from being conveyed to the finely machined mechanisms thereof.Supplementing this strainer, there is preferably provided a mesh section95 in the form o a cap adapted -to surround and yieldingly engage theouter surface of the cylindrical portion 27 ofthe motor-casing` andagain strain the incoming air before it passes into the motor and lowermechanisms by wa of theapertures 29. As to the position vt at thisdevice occupies in practice, the' same may be upon suitable brackets 96and'flexible supports 97, extending outwardly and downwardly from theback wall of a 4 piano as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or the device may besupported within the piano as` shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 5 andby means of the same type of flexible members 97. y

The motor in this device is necessarily of Y that type which comprises avery high-speed as one of its characteristics. This feature secondarily'implies a tendency of the motor to heat-up when run fora,prolongedperiod unless provided with enough circulating air tomaintain a low temperature of the same. To this end, the upper portionof the casing 1 is provided with spaced apertures 98, in registry withwhich is positioned a similarly apertured section 99 of air insulatingmaterial such as leather, which device to sepai rate from said casinga'similarly apertured -circular disc 100y is revolvably mounted withrespect to the apertures 98, and in a plane transverse to the axis ofsaid aperture about a pivot 101, which is secured. to the casing andpasses revolvabl 'through said disc, which latter is provi ed upon oneside of its periphery with a laterally extending lever 102, to which isconnected a flexible operating member 103, while intermediate of vthelimits of said lever the same is provided with oppositely extending ears'104, bent downwardly at their end portions to form parallel shoulders105, through which are adjustably mounted screws. 106, held in fixedposition 'by means of lock-nuts 107. These screws; being directedtowards each other, co-operate with a suitable pin 108 positionedbetween them and extending outwardly from the casing member 1, and saidpin and adjustable screws operating toV limit themovement of thevalve-disc 100 in opposite directions, said disc being maintained inapredetermined position by means of a suitable spring 109 appliedthereto in Vany, feasible manner. y

It will be noted that in the position of the disc, as shown in Fig. 7,there is always a predetermined amount of air being admitted 4 throughthe bleed-apertures 98 in order to maintain the necessary/ aircirculation for cooling the motor, even' when the greatest amount ofvacuum is desired to be maintained lfor the heaviest work in operating areproducing musical instrument .to which the device is attached.- Thisarrangement also affords a simple eliicient and quickcomplete register,in which position air is admitted freely to the interior of the casingof the device, and thus indirectly decreases the degree of vacuum tosuch an extent that a relatively low pressure i`s available through thepneumatics of the muslcal instrument, thereby producing reproducedsounds of .as low intensity as may be desired.v And,

further, for this condition of soft music, 'thel bleed valve just.described may be'suddenly closed, thus effecting a rapid increase inthe,vacuumto the maximum degree, or as near thereto as may be desired,which has the effect of creating the so-called crash music, that is, theloudest and suddenly struck chords, when desired.

The phrase pneumatics of the musical instrument hereinbefore referredto, as well as the single concise term instrument employed in theclaims, refer to the operating parts of an instrument, whether thepneumatics arev arranged to actuate the usual hammers to produce sound,or are so de-l signed as to control and Ainfluence the quality of thesound produced, but do not refer to inoperative parts such as the usualbottom and top air chests or equalizers which merely comprise portionsof the air `conduit between the pneumatics and the power device, or morespecifically the air propelling means thereof.

In order to strain the air entering this bleed-valve, it will be notedthat a guaze cap 109 is provided, the same being adapted to be removablysecured over the top of the major portion of the disc 10() and theapertures extending therethrough.

The modified form of the lower bearing for supporting the tubular shaft34 is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, and differs from the bearinghereinbefore described in that the lowermost end portion of said shaftis.

internally threaded at 110 and is bifurcated by means of arallel slots111, into which slides longitu inally the bridge portion 112 separatingtwo segmental apertures 113 in a'disc 114, as shown in Fig. 12. Atool-steel washer 115 is forced into a recess 116 in the lowermostportion of the boss 57, and against this washer thus held stationary,revolves in slidable contact the hardened toolsteel washer 114, it beingobvious that the pressure between said washers is adjustable by meansofthe set-screws 117, extendin into the end portion of the shaft 34, anlocked in osition-b means of a nut 118.

And refidrring to ig. .13, the hollow shaft 34 is shown as restingsubstantially vertically upon a hard metallic disc 119, adjustablysupported by a set-screw 120, carrled centrally by `a plu 121 and fixedin position by means of a loc -nut 122.. The sai'd plug is cupped topreferably partially surround and position the saiddisc, and isremovably threaded in the-lower portion of the boss 57 hereinbeforedescribed, and through which boss is also journalled the shaft 34.

Having thus described my invention, what Il claim and 'desire 'toprotect by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. The combination ofan electric motoroperated vacuum genera-ting device, and a conduit adated to connect said device with a pneumatical y operated musicalinstrument, with a positively actuatedvalve operative to relieve at willthe vacuum of said device `6t'r other than through said musicalinstrument.

'operated music reproducing *generating device,

3. AThe combination of an electric motoroperated vacuum generatingdevice, 'and av conduit adapted to connect said device with apneumatically -operated musicall instrument, 4with a spring-operatedvalve, manually operable against the tension of said spring to relievethe vacuum created by said device other than through said musicalinstrument'.

4. The combination of an electric motoroperated vacuum generatingdevice, Aand a conduit adapted to connect said device with apneumatically operated musical instrument, with a spring-operated valvehaving adjustable limits of movement, manually operable against thetension of said spring, to relieve the vacuum created by said deviceother than through said musical instrument at variable rates. A Y

5. The combination of an electric .motoroperated vacuum generatingdevice, and a conduit adapted to connect said device with a.pneumatically operated mechanism, withA a spring-operated valve havinadjustable limits of movement, manual y operable against the tensionofsaid spring, to relieve the vacuum created by said device other thanlthrough said conduit at variable rates, said valve being set at itsminimum limit to pass a definite amount of ai'r tocool the motor of saiddevice.

6. The combination of a .pneumatically with jan electric motor-operatedvacuum andmeans connected instrumenta with said device and operativetoconstantly pass a fixed minimum amount of air to cool the motor ofsaid device, and said meansl being adpated to relieve the vacuum createdby said device at variable rates above said fixed minimum. I'

7. Thev combination `of al pneumatically operated music reproducinginstrument with an electric motor-operated vacuum generating device, andmeans connected with said device and operative to constanly pass a fixedminimum amount of air to cool the motor of said device, and said meansbeing manually actuated to relieve the vacuum created byA said device atvariable rates above said fixed minimum, and automatil cally operativeto return when releasedl tol wards and to the said ixedminimuln. Y,

8. A vacuum generator for pneu-matic music-producing instruments,comprising a container, motorand fan units, within and separated `fromsaid container by sound-insulating material, a port in said containeradjacent to said fanl unit, and a baffle member between saidl -containerport and said fan unit, operative tosdecrease the sound escaping throughsaid port, and sound-insulating means to position said bafile mem-` b'erin spaced relation from both said container and said fan unit.

9. A vacuum generator. for pneumatic music-producing instruments,comprising a j container, a, motor and a fan unit within and separatedfrom said container by soundinsulating material, a port in saidcontainer, a baffle member spaced from and positioned. between saidcontainer port and said fan unit, and a baiiie-plate outside of andspaced from said contalner, said baffle-plate and said baiiie memberco-operating with that portion of the container provided with a port toprovide a circuitous path Vfor air passing through said port, todecreaseto a minimum the sound escaping through said port.

10. A pneumatic power generator, comprising a container having inlet andoutlet ports, a baiie member covering the outlet port and spaced awayfrom the adjacent side of said container, and a baille-platecovering"said outlet port outside of and spaced from said container. 'l l 11.The .combination of an electric motoroperated vacuum-generating device,and a conduit adapted to connect said device with apneumatcally-operated mechanism, -with a valve having adjustable limitsof movement andloperative to relieve the vacuum created by the device,resilient means tending to maintain said valve in one limit of itsmovement and manually operable', against said resilient means towardsits'other limit of movement.

12. The combination of an electric motoroperated vacuum-generatingdevice, and a conduit adapted to connect said device with apneumatically-operated mechanism, with a' valve having adjustable.limitsof movement and operative to relieve the vacuum created .by the device,resilient means tending to maintain said valve at one limit of itsmovement, and manually operable against said resilient means towards itsother limit of movement, and said valve at one limit of vitsmovementadmitting to the device a predetermined amount of air, to cool theinternalmechanism'. j l i T13'. The combination of an electricmotoroperated pneumatic power generator, and

a conduit adapted toconnect said generator with apneumatically-operated' mechanism, with a valve having adjustableVpredetermined llmitsl. of movement, and operative lto relieve the vacuumcreatedsby the generator lindependently of the `said mecha- ,mism

14. The. combination of a.A pneumatica-lly erating the power toactuatethe sound producing parts of said instrument, and a conl duitconnecting said parts -to said means and providedwith an aperture, withmeans adjustable independently of the air pressure to vary the effectivearea o saidape'rture to permit air to pass through said first means invarying quantities without also passing throughsaid parts.

15,. The combination of a pneumatically operated music instrument, meansfor generating the power to actuate the sound producing parts of saidinstrument, and a conduit connecting .said parts to said means,

with an aperture 1n said conduit, and an adjustably positioned valveoperative` to bypass air through said iirst means without also passingthrough said parts.

16. The combination of a pneumatically operated player-piano, means forgenerating the power to actuate the said'sound producing parts of 'saidpiano, and a conduit to conduct air between said piano and said means,with means in said conduit to admit a predetermined minimum v flow ofair through said first means without lpassing through said parts.

17. The combination of a pneumatically operated player-piano, meansv forgenerating the power to actuate the sound producing parts of'said piano,and means interposed between said arts and said first means for allowinga pre etermined flow of air to pass through said first means withoutalso passing through the'said sound producing parts of said piano.

18. The combination of ,a pneumatically operated player-piano, means forgenerating the power to actuate the sound producingy parts ofsaid'piano, and a valve manually opened and closed and interposedbetween said parts and said first means for allowing air to pass throughsaid first means without also passing through the said sound producingparts of saidpiano.

19. The combination of a pneumatically operated player-piano, means forgenerating the power ,to actuate the sound vproducing parts of saidpiano, and a manually operated valve, adjustable at will to permit airtol and said Valve also be- Y first `means'to permit air to pass through130 said firstmeans withoutalso passing through said parts.

21. The combination of a pneumatically operated music instrument, meansfor generating the power to actuate the sound producing parts of saidinstrument, and a conduit connecting said sound producing parts to saidmeans, with a valve manually adjustable at will to position intermediateof its limits of movement and operative to bypass air in var ing degreesthrough said first means wit out also passing through said soundproducin parts.

22. The com ination of a pneumatically operated player-piano, means forgenerating the power to actuate the sound-producing parts of said piano,and a conduit to conduct air between said piano and 'said means, withmeans direct manually actuated and instantly adjustable to positionsbetween its limits of movement and independently of the speed ofoperation of said first means, to admit air in varying quantitiesthrough said first ,means Wlthout passing through said sound roducingparts.

23.. he combination` of a pneumatically operated player-piano, means forgenerating the power to actuate the sound producing parts of said piano,and a valve directly actuated manually between open and closed positionsfor allowing air to pass through said Y first means without also passingthrough the said sound producing parts of said piano.

24. The combination of a pneumatically operated music player instrument,and means to generate the power to operate the sound producing parts ofsaidinstrument, with manually actuated means to instantly vary betweenmaximum and minimum the effective operating power sup lied to said soundindepen ently of the power caslng provided with an inlet-and an outletand surrounding said motor andsaid means, with means to maintain apredetermined minimum rate of flow of air constantly through said casingby a course other than through said inlet. A p

` 26. The combination ofa pneumatic power generator, comprisingv amotor, air propelling means actuated by said motor, and a casingprovided with an inlet and an outlet and surrounding said'motorandv saidmeans, with means to maintaina minimum flow ofiair constantly past themotor within said casingfby'a courseother than through said inlet. A

27. The combination of a pneumatic power nerator comprising a motor, airpropel- ,ing means actuated -by said motor, and a casing provided withIan inletand an outlet and surrounding said motor andsaid means,

instrument, and means to adjustably relieve the vacuum of 'saidmechanism in degrees varying at will other than through said instrument.

29. The combination of a pneumatically operatedlmusical instrument, witha vacuum generating mechanism, comprising an air propelling means, amotor to drive said means, a container common to said means and saidmotor, a conduit connecting said air propellig means to said instrument,and manually actuated means to permit a quantity of,air variable at willto pass through said mechanism other, than through said instrument.' L

30. The combination of a pneumatically operated musical instrument, witha vacuum generating mechanism, comprising an air propelling means, amotorl to drive said means, and a container common to said means andsaid motor, a conduit connecting said air .propelling means to saidinstrument, and means having adjustablel limits to relieve the vacuum ofsaid mechanism other than through said instrument.

31. The combination of a pneumatically operated musical instrument, witha pneumatic power generating mechanism', comprising an air propellingmeans, a motor to `drive said means, a container common to said meansand said motor, a conduit cnnecting said air propelling means to saidinstrument, and resiliently controlled means to automaticallymaintain aminimum quantity of air passing through said mechanism without itspassing through said instrument, to cool said motor.

32. The combination of a pneumaticallyoperated musical instrument` witha pneumatic power generating mechanism, comprising an air propellingmeans, a motor to drive said means, a container common to said mea-nsand said motor, a conduit con` necting said air propelling means to saidinstrument, and resiliently controlled means having an ,adjustable limitof movement to automatically pass a predetermined mini- -mum quantity ofair through said mechanismrwithout its strument.

33. The combination of a pneumatlcally passing through said inoperatedmusical instrument, with a pneumatic power generating mechanism.comprlslng an a1r propelling means, a motor to drive said means, acontainer common to air inlet in the upper portion of the container, acasing within the container, the

outer walls of which are 'spaced apart -from the. innervwalls of thecontainer, an apertured battle plate between the lower portion ofthecontainer and the. lower portion of the casing, a compressible gasketinterposed between the baflie plate and the lower por-l tion of thecasing which .forms an air chamber between the baille and the lowerportion.-

. ofthe casing, @plurality of rotary fan blades within the lower portionof the caslng, la plurality of vanes also within the lower portion ofthe casing, an electric motor within the upper portion of the casing,

which rotates the fan blades, and cushioning devices interposed betweenthe linner walls of the container and the' outer walls 'of the casing.

35. A suction-producing apparatus of the class recited, infwhich arecombined, a container inclosed at the top and open at the bottom, an airinlet in the top of the container, a casing within the container, the

-outer walls of which are spaced apart from the inner walls of thecontainer, a plurality of fan blades withinthe lower portion ofthecasing, a plurality of'vanes also within the lower portion of the saidcasing, an electric motor within the upper portion of the casing, whichrotates the fan blades, supporting devices within the' container uponwhich the casing rests, cushioning devices interposed between the innerwalls of the container and the outer walls of the cas-`- ing, and'cushioning devices between thesupporting devices and both the innerwalls of the container and the outer walls of the casing.

36. An air propelling mechanism, comprising a container having an inletand an outlet, a unitary casing removably supported withinsaid'container, and having an inletand an outlet, an air propellingmeans within said casing, a motor also with-in said casing to drive saidmeans and so situated thatthe said means creates a draft of fresh air'passing over the parts of said motor to cool the same before being saidmeans. Y

acted upon by 37. An air propellingjmcchanism comprising a containerhaving an inlet and an outlet, a casingwithin said container, and havingan inlet and an outlet, sound insulating rmeans to support the weight ofsaid casing with respect to said container and operative to divide theinterior of said container outside of said casing into a plurality ofcompartments containing -air at different pressures.

38. AThe combination of an electric motoroperated pneumatic powergenerator, and a 'conduit adapted to connect said generator with apneumatically-operated mechanism, with a valve having a normally fixedrange of movement, and means to adjustably alter the limits xing saidnormal range, said valve being operative to relieve the air pres` surecreated by the said generator independently of the said mechanism. l 39.A pump, comprising a casing, a surrounding container spacedaway fromdirect contact with said casing, and an air-tight partition of flexiblevibration-absorbing material yieldingly gripping and surrounding aportion of said casing and extending from said casing to said containerto divide the intervening space into a plurality of chambers adapted tocontain air at different pressures.

40. The combination of a casing, with a surrounding container havingasupporting surface, and agasket resting upon said surface and,- alsoresiliently engaging a por- "tion "of the radially outer surface of saidcasing to form an air tight partition to dim'de the space between saidcasing and said container into a. plurality of chambers.

41. The combination of a casing and a fan and motor todrive said faninclosed within ysaid casing, with a surrounding container having asupporting surface, and a gasket resting upon said surface and alsoco-operating. with said casing to form an .air-tight partition to dividethe space between said casing and said container into a plurality ofchambers'adapted to contain air at dierent pressures.

42. The combination of a unit pump casing, with a unit sectionalcontainery independent of said casing, and a yielding 'gasket contactingwith and extending from Vsaid -licasing into contact with and secured 1nposition by the union of the-sections of said container.

- 43. The combination of a unit pump casing, with a unit sectionalcontainerindependent of saidfcasing, anda vibrationinsulating gasket'having one portion airtight relation with said casing andhaving.another portieri air-tightrelationl-'With a section of Asaid containerand operatively compressed against said casing. by the union of saidsections. l v f n, 454:.v The combination of apump casing,

with a container, and a vibration-insulating gasket having one portionin direct cov-operation with said casing and having another portion indirect co-operation with said container to form an air-tight partitiondividing the space between said casing and said container into apluralit of chambers adapted to contain air at di erent pressures.

45. The combination of a pump casing, with a sectional container,one ofsaid sections having a longitudinally facing sub-l stantially radiallyextending surface, and a gasket comprising a pair of annular members,one o which bears against said surface and connects the adjacentcontainer section with said casing, and the other of which members bearsagainst and extends between the other container section and said casing.

46. The combination of a pump casing, with a sectional container, one ofsaid sections having a longitudinally facing substantially radiallyextending surface, and a gasket comprlsing a pair of annular mem` bers,one of which bears against said surface and connects the adjacentcontainer section with said casing, and the other of .which membersbears against and extends between the other container section and saidcasing, said gasket member uniting to form a yiel ingvibration-insulating air-tight partition between said casing andcontainer, and operatively positioned by the union of said containersections. i

47. A pump, comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet, a fan andmotor unit mounted within and surrounded by said casino', a surroundingcontainer also having an in et and an outlet, and a gasket operative tosupport said casing within said container and to divide the interveningspace into a plurality of chambers, said fan within said casing beingoperative to force air into said container upon one side of said gasket,within the space 'between said casing and said container, thence throughsaid casing, and then outwardly into the space between said casing andsaid container upon the other side of said gasket. y

48. A vacuum generator for pneumatic music-producing instruments, comrising a container, motor and fan units w1thin and separated from saidcontainer by sound-insulatln' material, said container being providewith a port adjacent to said fan unit, and a cup-shaped baille memberbetween said container port and said fan unit, operavtlve to decreasethe sound escaping through said port, and sound-insulating means to,position said baille member in spaced relaf tio'lti.J from both saidcontainer and said fan um A vacuum generator for pneumaticmusic-producing instruments, com rising a contalner, motor and fan unitsw1thin and separated from said container by sound nsulating material,said container being provided with a port ad'acent to said fan unit, anda cup-shaped ba e member between said container port and said fan unit,said cupsha d baille member partly surrounding sai fan unit, andoperative to decrease the sound escaplng through said port, andsound-insulating means to position said bafiie member i'n spacedrelation from both said container and said fan unit.

50. The combination of a pneumatic power generator, comprisinga motor,air-impelling means actuated by said motor, and a casing provided withan inlet and an outlet and surrounding said motor and said air-impell- 80 ing means, said casing being provided with an aperture to permit ailow of air through said casin b a course other than that between saiinl'et and said outlet.

51. A suction producing apparatus which comprises in combination, acontainer having an inlet and an outlet, a casing within the saidcontainer, the outer walls of which are spaced apart from the innerwalls of the said container, a baille member between 9o4 the lower rtionof the container and the lower portlon of the casing, a plurality ofrotary fan blades within the lower portion of the casing, a plurality ofvanes also within the lower portion of the casing, an electric motorwithin the upper portion of the cas' ing which rotates the fan blades todraw the incoming air past said motor to cool the same, and cushioningmeans interposed between the inner wallsof the container and 10o theouter walls of the casing.

52. A suction-producing apparatus of the class recited, in which arecombined, a container havin an inlet and an outlet, a casin within t econtainer, the outer walls of'1 105 wlich are spaced apart from theinner walls" of the container, a pluralit .of fan blades within thelower portion o the casing, an` electric motor within the upper portionof the casing which rotates the fan bladesto 1 10 draw air past saidmotor, su porting means within the container upon w ichthe casing rests,cushioning means inter osed between the inner walls of the container andthe outer walls of the casing, and cushioninv means between thesupportingmeans an both the inner walls of the containerand the outerwalls of the casing. i

53. In a device for operatingthe pneumatics of a player piano, thecombination with a container, a m`otor and fan suction unit within saidcontainer for drawing air through the pneumatics 'of a piano, said motorand fan being mounted upon the same* shaft, and a pneumatic expressionmechamsm v-for varying the pressure of air passi@ through the fanelement.

54. An air propelling mechanism for pneumatically operated pianos,"comprising -a container having a main-*inlet and an outcontainer havinga plurality' of inlets and an outlet2 a unitary casing entirely Withinthe container and supported by sound deadening material, and having aninlet and an outlet, a fan and motor Within saidcasing, and means tomaintain a current of airflowing over the parts of said motor to coolthe same, said current of air passing. through the motor before itpasses into said fan to be acted upon thereby.

In testimony whereof I have ailixed my signature.

STANLEY S. CRAMER.

